Conducting Health Disparities Research with Criminal Justice Populations: Examining Research, Ethics, and Participation

Abstract

This study explored the challenges of informed consent and understanding of the research process among Black and Latino men under community supervision (e.g., parole and/or probation). Between February and October 2012, we conducted cognitive face-to-face interviews using open-ended questions on the significant areas of research participation (i.e., the informed consent process, confidentiality, compensation, what is meant by human subject and clinical trials) among 259 men aged 35 to 67 under community supervision in Bronx, New York. Content analysis of the open-ended questions revealed limited knowledge concerning the understanding of research participation. The study participants appeared to generally understand concepts such as compensation after research participation and confidentiality. Participants demonstrated a lack of understanding of certain aspects of the research process—informed consent, human subject, Institutional Review Board, and clinical trials. These findings are informative to researchers conducting studies with criminal justice populations and Institutional Review Boards reviewing research studies.

The Psychometric Properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory in Men under Criminal Justice Involvement: Implications for Forensic Social Workers in Practice Settings

“…The majority of the participants dropped out of high school (65 percent), and only 35 percent completed high school or passed the general educational development (GED) tests (demonstrating sufficient knowledge in core content areas equivalent to that of graduating high school seniors). Details of their demographic characteristics have been published elsewhere ( Valera et al , 2014 ).…”

“…The data used for this study were collected for a previous research project that focused on cancer–health disparities among men involved in the criminal justice system ( Valera et al , 2014 ). The study was approved by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Institutional Review Board and a Federal Certificate of Confidentiality was obtained.…”

Exploring the Use of Special Housing Units by Men Released From New York Correctional Facilities

“…Participants were compensated $25 for their time. Detailed study design and outcomes of the cancer-health disparities study are published elsewhere (Valera et al, 2014b).…”

The Smoking Behaviors and Cancer-Related Disparities Among Urban Middle Aged and Older Men Involved in the Criminal Justice System

“…Using a venue-based sampling approach [21-22], 259 study participants completed the Cancer-Health Research Study with Formerly Incarcerated Men cross-sectional survey in Bronx, New York. Venues included community-based organizations, such as medical centers, community health clinics, social services agencies, and criminal court programs that provide health and social services to formerly incarcerated individuals serving sentences through parole or probation.…”

“…The eligibility criteria for this study were: (1) self-identify as male; (2) self-identify as Black or Latino; (3) aged 35-67 years old; (4) reside in the Bronx; (5) currently under parole or probation; (6) never been diagnosed with cancer; and (7) and provide informed consent. The data collection procedures and recruitment strategies have been described in previous reports [21-22]. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the investigators obtained a Federal Certificate of Confidentiality.…”